I post mostly on academic and political topics related to my own research on environmental change, archaeology, and human interaction with the environment. Geographically, I range across the Americas to Africa and Europe. My brother lives in Japan and so I do have some interest in Asia, although I have yet to visit.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Following up on an active interest in the nation of Africa developed during the recent presidential election campaign, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska has reached out to President-elect Barack Obama requesting a posting as an ambassador representing America.

Governor Palin recently returned to Juneau, Alaska and had planned to continue in her position as governor of that large territory lying to the northwest of America. However, she would be willing to leave the governorship "because Africa is just such a darned important country."

"I have always been very, very interested in the nation of Africa, partly because of it being located where it is," she said. "If you are standing in Africa and you look real close, you can see South Africa."

She added that she had received phone calls encouraging her to vie for the post, including one from French president Nicholas Sarkozy.

It looks as though Alaska is in fact bigger than most of the countries of Africa. Certainly Alaska is bigger than Nigeria in land area. However, it would not be possible to fit all of Nigeria's people into Alaska. Particularly because they would expand considerably if they were frozen.